Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG

Overview of the UNIMOG models made during the 1953-1962 period

Universal Motorized Implement

Universal-Motor-Gerät (UNIMOG)

The Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG is a four-wheel-drive, all-terrain
vehicle with high ground clearance and a power take-off (PTO) at the front
and rear. They are highly adaptable and can be customized to support any
type of auxiliary equipment. The UNIMOG was developed after WWII as a specialized
agricultural vehicle. Not quite tractor and not quite truck, it would be
an aid to farmers who needed something that could plough the fields and
bring their produce to market. In 1945, prototypes were built at a factory
in southern Germany. In 1948, a 25 hp Daimler-Benz OM 636 diesel engine was
added. In 1951, production moved to Gaggenau. In 1953, the UNIMOG was being
developed and built by Daimler-Benz. Today, new UNIMOG models are still
being built at the Gaggenau factory and are in public, private and government
(military) service all over the world.

Between 1953-1962, there were three distinct UNIMOG body styles, which can be defined loosely as...

Angular, with Soft Top (1951-1963)

Streamlined, with Enclosed Cab (1953-1956)

Military Specification, with more Power (1956-1980)

UNIMOG Body Style 1
Angular, with Soft Top (1951-1963)

These models used diesel engines and traveled at speeds from 0.5
km/h (0.3 miles/h) in low gear up to 52 km/h (32 miles/h) in high gear.

UNIMOG Body Style 2
Streamlined, with Enclosed Cab (1953-1956)

In October, 1953 the second Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG body style
began production. It was produced by Westfalia. The radiator grille and
fully enclosed cabin were more streamlined than the 1946 UNIMOG prototype
and included the following models.

Table 3

UNIMOG Type

Produced

Engine hp

U401.104 to 106

10/1953-9/1956

25

U401.111 and 113

?/1956-8/1957

30/32

U402.102 and 104

11/1953-8/1956

25

Two streamlined Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG U401 models in Germany. The closed all-steel
driver’s cabin, which was produced on commission by the Westfalia company, is
affectionately nicknamed “Froschauge” (froggy eyes) by German UNIMOG enthusiasts.

Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG models introduced to members of the Texas agricultural community at the State Fair
in Dallas, Texas, circa 1957. The streamlined U401 body is at the far left.

UNIMOG Body Style 3
Military Specification, with more Power (1956-1980)

The third Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG body style of the 1953-1962
period was the Type U404. It was introduced in 1956, and production ran until
1980. Also known as the UNIMOG-S, it used a 24 volt electric system
and had a 2.2 liter (134 cubic inch) 82 hp, 6-cylinder gasoline engine (that
was also used in the Mercedes-Benz Type 220S Ponton sedan). Fuel consumption
on the UNIMOG-S models ranged from 18.5 liters/100 km (12.7 miles/gallon
US = 15.3 miles/gallon Imperial) to 60 liters/100 km (3.92 miles/gallon
US = 4.7 miles/gallon Imperial).

An early (circa 1956) UNIMOG-S Type U404 during a demonstration
for the media

There are differences between the M180 engine shown here
and the M180 used in the Type 220S Ponton sedans, coupés and cabriolets.
For instance, some early M180 engines have the large bolt-on side panels.
All of them (like the one pictured) have the early 7.0:1 compression ratio.
All of them have military grade flywheels, carburetors, generators, short
water pumps (three hole), oil pans, and front end counterweights. This
one has probably been overhauled by either of two very competent German
concerns (FWN and IWS are the prominent ones) who routinely overhaul all
sorts of equipment for the German military.

Amateur ("HAM") radio operator, Martin Moerman (PD1AJE) works from the enclosed area of his
1966 Mercedes-Benz Type 404 UNIMOG, which affords ample protection from the outside elements.
View more photos by following the link in the "References / Acknowledgements" section at the bottom of this page.

1968 Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG-S Type U404.113 with a Westfalia hard cab

Outside the strict 1953-1962 "Ponton era" range, this Type
U404 UNIMOG was built in 1968. Recall the Type U404 was made from 1956-1980.
This vehicle was converted from a single cab to a double cab by Lesonal
Werke in Munich. It has an extra high windshield, heater in the rear cab,
and better seating for the driver. The double cabs were all made for the
German post office (Deutsche Bundespost) and this one retired from DBP in
1978 when the Berchtesgaden fire department picked it up. It is one of about
sixteen that were produced. Courtesy: Jeff Lenzner August 23, 2003.

Painted international blaze orange for easy identification
(blue civil defense triangle still visible on the roof). Triangles on side
were over-painted for sale on the civilian market. Rear cabin was originally
constructed without rear seating, this was added later. It is just a bench
seat, raised so it can double as a litter/bed. Although it does not have
a raised ceiling, it is actually slightly longer than the Lesonal variant.
Snorkel kit visible on the right with a dust pre filter. The snorkel bolts
directly onto the air intake. Photos of this UNIMOG taken during the
weekend of April 10-11, 2004 / Courtesy: Jeff Lenzner / April 18,
2004

August 3, 2004: Thanks to Karl Schultz of Pretoria, South Africa for providing photos and historical
narrative regarding his 1978 UNIMOG Type U416 "extreme camper", which was originally
designed for military duty in South Africa